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Note in the picture that it does have a small D-ring that is apparently for a crotch strap, but no straps available for purchase. However, I had some miscellaneous parts lying around to make my own. I have some extra snap clips for 1" bimini straps leftover from a repair I did on my Trophy boat, and some 1" buckle straps from the camping dept at WalMart that I had purchased to try as sail ties (but didn't like for that purpose). So I put the two together and I now have temporary crotch straps for my WM PFDs.

Note that permanent modifications will void the USCG certification of your PFD, but a temporary mod like this should be OK. Regardless, do this at your own risk. I think it's a significant upgrade for use in my protected river, but almost certainly not sufficient for offshore. I'll attach the crotch straps any time I'm in high risk conditions (which is quite rare on my river).

...Position, position, position. CG can do the detective work as needed.
From now on, I will modify my mayday call something like this:
Mayday, mayday. Our position is W xx degree and xx.x minutes; N xx degree and xx.x minutes. We are East of Cape May (example) about 150 nm. Name of the vessel, Number of person on board, description of the emergency, availability of life vest and life raft....

This is all good, but you really should connect a chartplotter or dedicated GPS to your radio. Then when you press the "Distress" button your exact coordinates will go out automatically, so you can focus on more urgent matters than trying to read your lon/lat off a display screen.

I need to add this; if you are on your boat and the SAR helo drops a line to you in preparation of lowering a basket, do not hook the line to your boat. Just hold it. Hooking the line to your boat puts the helo in danger.
Jerry

To illustrate the point, here is a helo trying to tow a small boat in very calm waters. Lets see what happens....

MedSailor

04-01-2013 07:05 PM

capecodda

Re: Safety at Sea by MTAM

This course sounds excellent.

I've done the pool exercise before with a life raft and it's and eye opener. We did it with survival suits on. It's hard! Sure they are warm and they float but they restrict movement. And the rope ladder under the life raft flops around as you try to climb in. Our group had to get an fairly heavy teammate into the raft...took 2 of us, one pulling inside, one pushing outside. Ain't exactly roomy inside either. After the experience, I don't think most of us would consider stepping down into a life raft.

I cannot imagine how hard it would be in survival conditions....or working under a chopper downdraft.

A course like this will change your view of survival equipment and maybe even save your life. Good for you taking the time to do it!

04-01-2013 06:35 PM

Bradhamlet

Re: Safety at Sea by MTAM

Took the course a few years ago, what did you think when we were able to get into the 6 man life raft? Wasn't it roomy? Wouldn't it be fun to be in one with 5 of your closest friends offshore in a large seaway? The entire course was great, eye opening for sure.

Brad
Lancer 36

04-01-2013 06:22 PM

RoryP23

Re: Safety at Sea by MTAM

I will be attending the 2013 USNA/MTAM Safety at Sea seminar Saturday in Annapolis. My girlfriend and I are looking for a ride to downtown Baltimore/or Baltimore metro/light rail station after the event Saturday evening. Is anyone heading back to Baltimore?

I've taken the one day course twice now (req'd for watch captains in offshore races)
Admiral is taking the class this year since we seem to be spending more time on various boats that go offshore.
Highly recommend the class if for no other reason than to inform people of what to expect when it all goes south. Knowledge really does make a difference when things go to SHYTE.

03-25-2013 11:34 PM

TakeFive

Re: Safety at Sea by MTAM

I just signed up the Admiral and me for the April 6, 2013 session. (We have a church commitment that will prevent us from attending the second day.)

Is anyone else going this year?

04-26-2012 06:15 AM

jerryrlitton

Re: Safety at Sea by MTAM

Good point Minne ref sinking the raft. Yes you are right about it being mentally hard to do. I did fly SAR in a SeaKing and we did talk about the point of the raft. However if a long line is used (100' or so) for the rescue then it should not be a factor. However if the line is short, consider doing this. We did learn this during an Air force survival course. The down-wash can be terrific and you don't want one of those thing becoming airborne. Remember when I say sink the raft, it truly does not really sink. It just sits low in the water and if need be it can be re inflated. Remember don't do this unless rescue is assured. Just a thought.

Jerry

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